His idea was to get everyone off the couch and outside getting fit in Emeryville. Dr. Warren Strudwick, BOSS sports doctor and physician for the Oakland Raiders and partner Dr. Steven Isono, created this fun ultra sprint triathlon in 2007 as an effort to embrace the Emeryville’s citywide Health & Wellness initiative. Before beginning the awards ceremony, Strudwick announced, ”All of you can congratulate yourselves. You are all winners. We wanted to create a race that everyone can do. And you did it.”

The Shortest Triathlon Ever is becoming a signature event for the City of Emeryville in a similar way that Bay to Breakers is for San Francisco. And it takes a supportive City council and City staff to make it this type of success. According to Mark Aiton, director of On Your Mark Events, which has worked with many cities over the last 25 years and over the last three, has run the race portion of the event. “Every person we have worked with in Emeryville was a joy to work with and we are especially indebted to Chief James and the police department for their understanding and support.” Special thanks goes out to the City of Emeryville from the Boss Foundation.